Air Cushion Packaging Market Report 2026

The air cushion packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.12 billion in 2025 to $4.45 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of e-commerce shipping volumes, increasing need for fragile goods protection, expansion of distribution and fulfillment centers, rising adoption of flexible packaging formats, improved availability of inflatable packaging machinery.

The air cushion packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.83 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing focus on sustainable packaging materials, rising investments in automated packaging systems, expansion of cross-border e-commerce trade, growing demand for cost-efficient protective packaging, increasing regulatory focus on plastic waste reduction. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of lightweight protective packaging solutions, rising demand for on-demand inflatable packaging systems, growing use of recyclable air cushion materials, expansion of automated packaging lines, enhanced focus on damage reduction during transit.

The rapid growth of e-commerce is anticipated to drive the expansion of the air cushion packaging industry in the coming years. E-commerce involves the buying and selling of products and services online, covering a broad spectrum of transactions between businesses and consumers. This growth in e-commerce is fueled by factors such as greater internet accessibility, rising consumer preference for online shopping, and improvements in digital payment technologies. Air cushion packaging used in e-commerce ensures efficient protection of products during shipping while keeping shipping weight low and reducing material waste. For example, in February 2024, according to the Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, a US government agency, e-commerce sales in the fourth quarter of 2023 increased by 7.5% compared to the same quarter in 2022. Hence, the rapid growth of e-commerce is contributing to the expansion of the air cushion packaging industry.

Major companies in the air cushion packaging industry are emphasizing the creation of innovative solutions, such as recyclable paper-based air pillows, to address the growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options. Recyclable paper-based air pillows are protective packaging cushions mainly made from paper with a water-soluble inner coating. They are designed to provide cushioning and volume comparable to traditional plastic air pillows while being fully recyclable with paper and cardboard, thereby reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable packaging practices. For example, in February 2025, Storopack, a Germany-based protective packaging expert, introduced AIRfiber, an innovative paper-based air pillow. AIRfiber provides strong, high-volume cushioning using minimal material, ensuring safe shipping and handling of products. The cushions are compatible with existing air pillow machines, suitable for void filling, blocking, and bracing, and deliver customers a sustainable unboxing experience.

In March 2024, Macfarlane Group PLC acquired Allpack Packaging Supplies Limited for £3.25 million ($4.1 million), enhancing its market presence in East Anglia. This acquisition allows Macfarlane to expand its offerings of protective packaging products and services, benefiting customers previously served by Allpack.

Major companies operating in the air cushion packaging market are Amcor plc, Smurfit Kappa Group Plc, Associated Packaging, Veritiv Corporation, Sealed Air Corp., Intertape Polymer Group Inc., Pregis LLC, Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH, Shorr Packaging, Polyair, Atlantic Tape Packaging, iVEX Protective Packaging, Polycell International, FP International, 3G Packaging Corp., Airfil Protective Packaging Ltd., AirWave Packaging LLC, Jaineeket Enterprises, Springpack, Salazar Packaging, Macfarlane Group UK Ltd, DynaCorp, COMPAK.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the air cushion packaging market in 2025. The regions covered in the air cushion packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the air cushion packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The air cushion packaging market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as customization of packaging solutions, installation and maintenance of air cushion machinery, and consulting on optimal packaging practices to ensure product safety and efficiency during transit. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The air cushion packaging market also includes sales of tabletop air cushion machines, industrial air cushion machines, and air cushion machine films. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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